Background: Patients suspected with multiple myeloma (MM) are often delayed investigation and diagnosis because of multiple factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors leading to diagnosis of MM would help in early diagnosis and treatments.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of factors used for myeloma screening and to find any factors that can predict the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
Material and Method: From Aug 2013 to Mar 2015, 300 patients were enrolled into this study. Every patient must have met the criteria of: 1) age above 50 years, 2) at least one of laboratory criteria (Hb <10 g/dL, serum creatinine >2 mg/dL, serum calcium >10 mg/dL), and 3) at least one skeletal criterion (bone pain, osteoporosis or history of fracture). Eligible patients’ sample were sent for serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) to screen for MM.
Results: From 300 patients, there were 70 patients (23.3%) diagnosed with MM. Of the 3 criteria, all patients (n = 300,
100%) had age above 50 years as inclusion criteria, mean age was 73 years, 273 cases (91%) had Hb below 10 g/dL,
83 cases (27.66%) had serum creatinine >2 mg/dL and 97 cases (32.33%) had serum calcium >10 mg/dL. However, there was no factor successfully predicted MM diagnosis.
Conclusion: Among many factors those are the common presentation of MM, there were no factor or combination of factors that shown statistically significant to predict the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. However, we would suggest thinking of MM in elderly patients who have bone pain or osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, and azothemia or renal failure.

Keywords: Multiple myeloma, MM, Screening criteria, Serum protein electrophoresis